Beautiful Hollidaysburg, PA, beckons back to a slower, simpler time: the centerpiece of the time is the Hollisburg Historical District, which protects the cultural history of this town settled in 1768. Lovely brick facades and quaint streets beckon guests and locals alike to take a deep breath and appreciate the little things.
Relaxing outside during Pennsylvania’s comfortable summers is an absolute must for any Hollidaysburg homeowner, and this can only be done if you have a wonderful garden to call your outdoor home. However, you might be struggling to find inspiration that will suit the mood of this small town.
Let’s explore some great garden ideas so that you’re ready to get in touch with a landscape supply company and make your dreams come true.
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Fragrant Peace: Colonial Gardens
Hollidaysburg got its start in the late 1700s when Pennsylvania was only just finding its place in the colonies; it began as a collection of only seven houses and a tavern, slowly growing over the centuries to a community of 5,400 people.
In such a venerable town, it only makes sense to look backward for inspiration: specifically to the colonial gardens that provided food, medicine, and relaxation for early Americans. These areas were filled with medicinal and seasoning plants like sassafras, horehound, cinquefoil, and more well-known species like rosemary, thyme, and basil. Paving stones wound through the different beds, letting residents pick herbs for later use in the home. While these layouts may look a bit rugged, they are actually very well-planned to make the best use of soil conditions, sunlight, and spacing. This is the perfect choice for anyone who wants to enjoy fresh herbs from the garden in their evening meal.
Rustic Wonders: Wild Landscaping
One of Hollidaysburg’s best attributes, other than its historical significance, is the abundance of nature surrounding the town. Chimney Rocks State Park and Canoe Creek State Park are only a saunter away, letting you breathe in the fresh air and even explore small caves that have formed in the pockets of limestone.
There’s no better way to show respect to these significant natural landscapes than to replicate them in your own garden through the use of native plants, large boulders, and hardy trees to provide shade. You may choose to build a small stream moving through your property, lined with large rocks that afford local amphibians a cozy retreat, or choose native groundcover that will comfort your tired feet after a long day of work.
Large river stones make great liners for soft soil paths, and you can surround the fences with taller plants or shrubs to provide extra privacy when you want to relax in the comfort of your own home. Bird feeders embedded in a thicket of wildflowers give feathered friends a place to congregate and gossip amongst themselves, while a carefully planned water feature will let them sip and soak to your utter delight. Better yet, you’ll be helping the wildlife and improving soil conditions by choosing native plants.
Deliciously Pretty: Backyard Vegetable Garden
There are few things nicer than cutting open a ripe tomato from your very own garden: it simply tastes better, and you’ll feel proud to serve straight-to-table cucumbers to your guests. Instead of having a backyard overtaken by grass, why not fill that space with carefully curated garden beds? Neat and organized, you’ll find true delight in settling down to dig up fresh potatoes or watching small watermelons grow.
Pavers could wind through rows of raised beds, organized by the best growing conditions for each plant. You can deter hungry visitors by surrounding your plants with stakes hung up with old CDs, which reflect the light and startle deer who might want a munch. A compost bin at the back of the property will let you recycle food scraps and enrich the soil so that your vegetables grow better than ever without the use of artificial fertilizers.
Marigolds and peppermint lining paths keep away mosquitos and vermin while providing a lovely pop of both scent and color, which will make it even more enjoyable to spend time in your own natural space. When you’re done for the day, set your garden implements in a small, pert shed, then settle back under a shady pergola to sip iced tea and marvel at all your hard work. Not only does this give you relaxation and a sense of purpose, but it can also reduce your food bills, especially if you build a small greenhouse to keep plants growing during the winter.
Your Hollidaysburg garden has so much potential, and careful planning will allow you to harness its natural beauty, making it a place that you’re proud to enjoy with friends and family.
